Poppet-valve mechanism for internal-combustion engines



F. D. SHEPHERD. POPPET VALVE MECHANISM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 30. I920.

Patented June 6, 1922.

3 SHEETSSHEET I.

F. D. SHEPHERD.

POPPET VALVE MECHANISM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 30. 1920.

1,418,479. Patenwuune 6,1922.

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F. n. SHEPHERD. POPPET VA LVEMECHANISM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

AP-PL'ICATION FILED JAN. 30, I920- Patentd June 6, 1922 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- FRANK n. SHEPHERD, or AURORA, ILLINOIS. I

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June6,1922.

Application filed January 30, 1920. Serial No. 355,033.

T 0 all whom itmay concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK D. SHEPHERD,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Aurora, in'the county ofKa-ne and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in Poppet-Valve Mechanism for Internal-Combustion Engines, of

which the followin is a specification.

The present invention relates more particularly to valve operating mechanism for internal combustion engines, and may be em-- ployed on any type of the same in which valves are utilized for controlling intake and exhaust ports, and the object is to provide mechanism that will be quick-acting in effecting the seating movement of the valve, such seating movement, however, being under mechanical control to avoid the blows that would otherwise be occasioned which would soon destroy the eflectivenessof the valve and the seat with which it cooperates.

Several embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the accompanying drawings, but it will be evident to those skilled in the artthat other modifications may be employed, and that features as disclosed may be interchanged in various ways.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a view artly in elevation and partly in section of tie well known type of Libertydmotor, showing the improved apparatus associated with the valve mechanism thereof.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through another type of engine having'the' valves in the head and illustrating novel mechanism in placethereon.

Figures 3 and itlGlQIlgltLKllIliLl sectional views of portions of lor T head engines with different forms of the invention thereon.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view of still another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 'is a vertical sectional view of a well known type ofengine with a modified form of valve actuating means. I

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the container and mechanism therein shown in Figure 6, with the cap plate and armati'ire removed.

Figure 8 is a detail view of a timer that may be employed for controlling the valve actuating mechanism.

Similar reference numerals designate corv responding parts in all the figures of the drawings. V

:In the embodiment disclosed in Figure 1,

the engine is of the watenco'oled type, comprising a cylinder 9 having a head 10 integra-l therewith, and provided with the usual ports, oneof which is illustrated at 11. The ports communicate with combustion chamber 12, one wall 01 which is the inner end of a reciprocatory piston 13 mounted inthe cylinder 9. The ports are surrounded at their inner ends by the usual valve seats, one of which is shown at 14, and cooperating with the seats are the usual movable port controlling valves 15. These valves open inwardly and are provided with outwardly extending stems l 6 slidably mounted in theengine head 10. Suitable means are provided for periodically opening the valves, this means in the well known type of Liberty motor, consist} ing of rocker arms 17 that have elements 18 acting on the outer ends of the stems. The rocker arms, as iswell known, are carried by rocker shafts 19 intermittently actuated: through cam mechanism (notshown).

In the present embodiment, a container 20 surrounds each valve stem and is mounted on the engine head by having an outstanding flange 21 bolted to said head, as illustrated at 22. The container has an inwardly extending sleeve portion 23 fitted in the engine head and containing a replaceable bushing 24:

constituting a guide for the stem 16; The

outer end of the stem is reduced and threadj ed as illustrated at 25; Screwed or slipped upon this reduced portion is an outer guide element 26 in the form of a disk having asliding fit in the container 20. A look nut 27-,

threaded on the stem, serves to effectively prevent the disk 26 from becoming dislodged, and in the present'embodi'ment, the bearing element 18 ofthe rocker arm 17 operatesv directly against-this lock nut. With this construction, it will be noted that the valve stern 16 has not only asliding bearing in the engine head, but also has a sliding bearing in the outerend of the container. Conse quently the lateral pressure due to the action of the rocker arm on the outer end of the ing of extended area. In order to eliminate any cushioning action or resistance to the inward movement of the disk 26, the coin tainer may be provided with relief ports 28 that also allow a free circulation of'cooli'ng air or medium. I 7

As thus far described, it will be evident through themedium o fthe piston disk 26 stein-is effectively resisted by a sliding bear that the rocker arm 17 serves as a means for opening the valve and will also control the speed of its closing movement. To effect this closing movement the following mechanism ispreferably provided.

Mounted in the container 20, between the inner guidebushing 24c and the outer guide element'26 is an electro-magnet 29 that surrounds the stem 16, said stem thus constituting an armature on the magnet. This electro-magnet may be of any well known ordesired construction, and the windings thereof may be according to any electrical design. Preferably the magnet is contained within. insulating heads 30, and within an insulating cylinder 31 that fits sufficiently within the container 20. This insulation should be of a character to effectively resist the high temperatures the same may be subjected to by reasono-f its association with an internal combustion engine. The magnet may be held in place by any suitable means, as for instance set screws 32 threaded through container walls having their inner ends projecting over the outer head 30. The terminals of the magnet are shown in the form of binding posts 33, to which are connected leads 34- from any suitable source of electrical current.

.lvii'ih-this construction, it will be evident that if the electro-magnet is energized, it will serve to draw the valve stem 16 outwardly and close. the valve. The opening movement, however, is effected through the rocker arm 17, and the speed with which the valve-can close is determined by the rearward or outward swinging movement of the rocker arm 17 and consequently of cam mechanism which controls the movement of said rocker arm.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the cylinder is designated 9, and the head 10 in this embodiment is detachable from the cylinder member and has the usual ports, one of which is shown and designated 1?.

This port. is controlled by a valve 15" havarm 17 fulcrumed between its ends, as illustrated at 19 and actuated by well known mechanism. The closing movement of the valve, as in the previously described embodiment, is effected by an electro-magnet 29 within the container 20, and interposed between the piston disk 26? and the inner I guide 24* of the: valve stem. The valve stem in this embodiment also constitutes an armature for the I electro-magnet, and it will be ing a stem 16 slidable in a replaceable bushevident that if desired the stem may have the upper portion thereof indicated at 16 of non magnetic material, so that the electromotive force of the magnet may act with greater effectiveness on the lower portion of the stem to move the valve to closed position.

A portion of a well known type of L or T head engine is illustrated in Figure 3, the cylinder being designated 9 and having an integral head 10 with a combustion chamber 12 with which communicates a port 13 The port is controlled by a valve 15 having a stem 16 slidably mounted in the extension 23? of a container 20 that is located on the under side of the head extension. In this instance the extension 23 constitutes the sole guide for the stem 16*, and the opening Car movement-of the valve is effected by a lifter rod 16 operating against the free end of the stem and actuated in turn by the usual cam shown at 16: In the container 20 is placed an electro-magnet 29 that operates on the stem 16 to effect the closing action of the valve, the speed of the closing movement, however, being controlled by the cam 16 in order to avoid damage to the valve and to the seat. 7

In Figure 4 the cylinder is designated 9, and the head 10, said head being in this case removable. The combustion chamber 12 has communicating therewith a port"13 controlled by the valve 15. The valve has a. stem 16 slidable in a guideway 28 which in this instance is a part of the engine structure. Fixed to the lower wall of the guideway by retaining bolts 32 is an electro-magnet 29 that surrounds the outer portion of the valve stem and acts thereon to effect the closing movement of the valve. The opening movement in the structure disclosed in Figure at is effected through a cam 16 operating on a lifter stem 16 that in turn acts against the outer or free end of the valve stem 16.

Referring now to the embodiment disclosed in Figure 5, the cylinder is designated 9 and the head is designated 10 the same being removable. The combustion chamber 12 has the usual ports, one of which is shown at 18 communicatingtherewith. This port is controlled by an inwardly opening valve l5 having a stem 16 slidably mounted. in a replaceable bushin 2%? carried by the guide member 23 that forms a part of the engine structure. The valve is opened by a cam 16 operating on a lifter rod 16 that transmits motion to the stem 16.

The closing action of the valve is effected through the medium of a stem 16 that is slidably mounted in the engine hea'd 10 and has a bearing at its inner end upon the valve head 15 The outer end of the stem 16 is surrounded by a'container 20 lllounted 130 on -the engine head and havinga gas-tight joint therewith. The container encloses an electro-magnet 29 that operates on the stem 16 to move the same inwardly,and thus eflect the closing action of the valve. In the present form of construction, the electromagnet 29 is held in place by a ring 32 communicating therewith is 13*. Communication between the combustion chamber 12 and port 13 is controlled by the movable valve 15 The valve 15 is opened by a stem 16* slidably mounted in a guideway 23 and actuated by a litter rod 16 that rides against a cam 16. The stem 16 in this embodiment is loose from the valve 15 and said valve has an integral stem 16 slidably mounted in the head 10 and projecting into a container.

20 This container is provided with a permanent magnet 29 that operates on a bar or disk armature 26 carried by the outer end of the stem, and in effect constituting a part of the stem. In the present form of .construction the magnet 29 rests upon an insulator plate 30 and is preferably insulated from the walls of the container, as shown at 31 The magnetis held in place by an internal shoulder 32 formed on the walls of the container and overlapping the outer end of the magnet. This type of magnet may be utilized, or as will-be evident, its action may be supplemented by coils, as will be obvious. The means for supplying electric current to the various magnets may be varied to suit the different requirements and 1 conditions met with. Thus a constant current may-be employed or a periodic current. In the latter case timingmechanism, as illustrated in Figure 8, may be utilized, the same consisting of a ring of contact elements 35 spaced apart by insu1ating' elements 36 and engaged by a rotary circuit closing member 37. Leads 38 from these contact elements 35 are connected to the various electro-magnets controlling the different valves of the engine. This may be so arranged that when the opening movement of a valve takes place, the

magnet that effects the closing movement is deenergized and a reenergization is effected after the opening movement is complete.

,Thus the resistance to the opening of the valve is materially reduced. It Will also be obvious that the magnets may be electrically connected to a magneto or other generator driven by the engine so that the amount of current delivered to the electro-magnets varies with the speed of the engine. This arrangement has a desirable advantage in that when the englne 1s op'eratmg at a lngh speed a greater amount of current is dellvered to the "electro-magnets and the closing movements thus quickened, sothatgthe valve Will -ri'de the-cam at all speeds and close gastight at the right time,fthus securing the greatest economy and "power. It will be noted that these valves are allfree floating and areprotected and relieved from any side thrust or wear upon the stemsythusavoidiiig cocking of the valve in-its seat and consequent leakage.

From the foregoing, it is thought that the I construction, operation and many advantages otthe herein described invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without further description, andjit Will 'be 'un-' derstood that various changes in the size,

shape, proportion and minor details of constructiomwithin'thescope of the claims'may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

' Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secureby Letters Patent, is 1 I 1.- The combination in an internal combustion engine, of a valve seat and a movable valve coacting therewith, engine operated mechanical means for opening the valve and positively limiting-the speed of its closing movement, and electrical means operating on the valve to move it to its closed position.

2, The combination in an internal combusioo tion engine, of a valve seat and a movable valve coac ting therewith and having a reciprocatory valve stem, mechanical engineoperated actuating means for the valveacting on the freeend of the stem to open'the valve and positively limit the speed of its closing movement, and electrical -means act ing on'the stem to effect the closing move.- ment of the valve. v p

3. The combination in an internal combustion engine having a port and-a valve movable in opposite directions for controlling the port, of'mechanical means operated by the engine to periodically move the valve in one direction to positively epe'n' it, means for moving the valve in the opposite direction to close the valve, and mechanism for automatically relieving the valve of the resistance of the closing means during its opening movement.

l. The comblnat'on in an internal combustion engine, of a valve seat and a movable valve coactmg therewlth andhavmg a stem,

a guideway in which the inner portion of the stem is slidably mounted, a tubular guide member surrounding the outer portion of the stem and spaced therefrom, a guide disk on the outer end of the stem slidable in the tubular guide member, anda magnet in the tubular member between the inner guideway &

thestem is slidably mounted, a tubular guide member surrounding the outer portion or the stem and spaced therefrom, a guide disk on the outer end of the stem slidable in the tubular guide member, a magnet in the tubumember between the inner guideway and the disk and surrounding the stem, said stem constituting an armature for the magnet, and means carried by the tubular member and engaging the magnet to hold the latter in place.

6. The combination in an internal combustion engine, of a head, a valve seat and a movable valve coacting with the seat and having a stem slidably mounted in the head, a- .container on the head surrounding the stem, engine-operated means for periodically operatingthe valve to open the same and positively limit the speed of its closing movement, and electrical means in the container for effecting the closing action of the valve.

1 The combination in aninternalcombustion engine. of a head, a valve seat and a movable valve coactmg wlth the seat and having astem slidably mounted in the head, container on the head surroundlng the stem, engine-operated means at the outer end of thecontainer acting on the stem for periodically opening the valve and limiting the speed of its closlng movement, and a magnet 1n the container surroundlng the stem and acting on the same to close the valve.

S. The combination 1n an lnternal combustion 811 1116 of a valve seat and a valve coacting with theseat, mechanical means operated by the engine for periodically open- .ing the valve, energlzable electrical means for closing the valve, and means for automatically energizing the means between the periods of the opening action and effecting the deenergization thereof during the opening movements. 1

9. The combination in an internal combustion engine, of a valve seat and a valve coacting with the seat, mechanical means for periodically opening the valve, a generator for magneto electrical current drivenv bythe engine and creating a current proportional to the speed of the engine, and electrical means operated by the current from the generator for effecting the closing movement of the valve.

10. The combination in an internal combustion engine, of a valve seat and a movable valve coacting with the seat, a stem for said valve, means for periodically opening the valve and controlling the speedof its closing movement, an electro-magnet mounted on the engine and operating on the stem for. elfecting the closing movement of the valve, andinsulating material enclosing the electro-magnet and comprising material that will resist the heat to which it is subjected by reason of its mounting on the engine.

11. Thecombination in an internal combustion engine, of a valve seat and a movable valve coacting with the seat, a stem for said valve projecting from the engine, means for periodically opening the valve and controlling the speed of its closing movement, a

container mounted on the engine and enclosing the stem, an electro-magnet inthe container operating on the stem to close the valve, and insulating material interposedbe-' tween the container and electro-magnet and comprising material that will resist the heat to which it is subjected by reason of its mounting on the engine.

12. The combination in an internal ,com-

bustion engine, of a valve seat and a movable valve coacting with the seat, a stem for said valve comprising a portion of magnetic material and a portion ofnon-magnetic mat'erial, means for periodically opening the valve and controlling the speed of its closing movement, and a'magnet operating on the portion of the valve which is of magnetic material for effecting the closing movement of the valve.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

FRANK D. SHEPHERD. 

